Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 1.12

The Spring When I Met You 11

Haruko’s PoV

As I nodded along, Sacchan suddenly turned to me and said,

“Speaking of which, Haruko, are you dating Sagara?”

Sacchan’s sudden question made me fumble, and my lipstick slipped from my hands. I hurriedly picked it up and put it back in my pouch.

“W-what? Why do you ask?”

I tried to sound calm, but my voice came out embarrassingly squeaky.

“Well, I’ve been seeing you two together a lot lately. You even had lunch together the other day. Haruko, you’re popular yet you don’t talk much with boys, so I thought it was unusual.”

“Really? What kind of person is Sagara-kun?”

Nami-chan tilted her head. Sacchan is the only one here in the same seminar as us, so not many know about Sagara-kun. After all, he doesn’t try to mingle with others.

“He’s always wearing black clothes, has a sober and serious look.”

Sacchan described him, and I remembered he was unusually wearing a navy polo shirt the other day, but I decided not to interject. Tsugumi-chan seemed to understand right away.

“Oh, I get it! He’s the guy who came to the party with Haru-chan, right? I thought he was an unexpected type. Ah, are you really dating?”

“No, that’s not it!”

I waved my hands frantically to deny it. I never expected such a misunderstanding. Measuring the right distance with boys is really difficult. I’m a complete novice when it comes to relationships, having had no friends until now.

“So, just friends?”

Tsugumi-chan’s question made me ponder. Are Sagara-kun and I friends?

‘If you become a true sparkling girl, you won’t need to bother with someone like me, right?’

We had started talking, but after he said something like that, it’s hard to claim we’re friends. I laughed it off.

“…Sagara-kun and I live close by… and we come from the same hometown.”

“Oh really? Were you in the same high school?”

“W-Well?!, something like that…”

I mumbled, desperately wanting to avoid being asked to show my yearbook. I forcefully changed the subject.

“But, you know! Sacchan, you went to lunch with Houjou-kun just the other day, right?”

Hiroki Houjou is a boy from our seminar who gets along well with Sacchan. With his actor-like looks, he’s in the futsal club and always surrounded by various people. There’s even a fan club for him within the university, or so the rumors say. I talked to him briefly at the recent gathering, but he was so dazzling that it was a bit exhausting.

“No, it’s different with Hiroki. Sagara seems more serious.”

“Ah, he does seem serious.”

Sacchan’s remark was met with agreement from the others. I didn’t quite get the difference, but it seems going out for a meal with someone like Sagara-kun is considered “serious.”

I learned something new.

“Well, but Haru-chan and Sagara-kun do seem a bit different.”

Tsugumi-chan’s casual remark stabbed me in the heart.

──Nanase-san is so earnest, she’s different from us.

The words of a high school classmate resurfaced, making it hard to breathe. What exactly is so different between him and me? I clenched my hands under the table so no one would see.

…I hate that I can’t deny it when times like these come.

“Is that so?”

I returned a vague smile and somehow got through the moment. I pretended not to notice the sting in my heart and thought about making karaage for dinner tonight.

◆◆◆

“Hey, Sagara-kun. Would you like some karaage?”

It was the evening after classes, when I was thinking of taking a nap before my late-night part-time job. When I opened the door to the sound of the intercom, there stood Nanase in her high school tracksuit and glasses.

Nanase, with her makeup removed and looking more approachable than usual, was a refreshing sight compared to how she looked at the university.

“I made too much, but it’s delicious.”

On the plate she held out were nicely fried pieces of karaage.

“It’s also a thank-you for coming with me to the party the other day, okay?”

After she said that, I found myself with even less reason to refuse. I hesitated, not wanting to owe her more, but I couldn’t resist my own desires and accepted the offer.

With my recently deposited paycheck quickly disappearing into rent, utilities, and various other expenses, I ended up eating soy-sauce-flavored udon every day. In such a situation, receiving karaage felt like a thread of hope in hell.

“…I wouldn’t mind taking some. Thanks…”

As I thanked her, conflicted, Nanase puffed up her cheeks.

“Come on, Sagara-kun. You should accept people’s kindness more. Isn’t it hard living like that?”

I think I find it easier to live without involving others, but I had to admit, the karaage was a welcome offer. I sighed at the thought that I needed to be more independent.

Nanase’s karaage was slightly on the darker side, but the aromatic soy sauce smell was appetizing.

When was the last time I had karaage?

“…Looks delicious.”

I muttered, and Nanase peeked at my face.

“Ah, did you smile?”

“No, I’m not smiling.”

I hurriedly straightened my expression, but Nanase just beamed with a satisfied smile.

“Hehe. You really like karaage, don’t you?”

“…Not really. Anyway, you should head back.”

I waved my hand lightly, but Nanase didn’t seem to want to leave. She stood at the entrance, fidgeting with her hands.

“Is there something else?”

When I asked, Nanase hesitated before speaking.

“…Today, Sacchan asked me if I was dating you.”

…See, what I was worried about happened.

Nanase had said it was fine, but as expected, people speculate.

It’s extremely unnatural for a standout beauty like Nanase to be seen with a gloomy introvert like me.

“…If you learn from this, you should stop talking to me at campus.”

“Huh, I don’t want that.”

“Why? It’ll all be for nothing if you’re seen with someone like me after making your college debut.”

“No, that’s not true! I want to be friends with you, Sagara-kun.”

Nanase insisted with unexpected force.

Why is she so fixated on me? Is someone she can be herself around that precious?

To her, aiming for a rosy college life, my existence should be nothing but a hindrance.

“…Nanase. You should get a boyfriend.”

At my words, Nanase blinked, looking puzzled. I continued.

“If you want to be a sparkling girl, you shouldn’t be giving me treats. Go find a boyfriend quickly and make karaage for him.”

“Ah… It’s not so easy to just make a boyfriend like making karaage… Falling in love isn’t that simple, right?”

Nanase said with a confused expression. I stared at her face and muttered softly.

“…I don’t think it’s that hard.”

I believe it wouldn’t be too difficult for the current Nanase.

After all, Nanase with makeup is beautiful, surprisingly bright, and has a good personality.

If she smiled and talked just as she does with me, most guys would probably fall for her easily.

Probably any guy but me.